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The Luangwa Valley, largely covered by the Eastern Province of Zambia is, arguably, the least developed. Some say this is because it's simply the most inaccessible. However, the Luangwa Valley is notorious for failing to support former President Frederick Chiluba in either of his bids for office. Therefore, some interpret underdevelopment as a kind of punishment.

Nevertheless, Eastern Province retains one of Zambia's most precious resources South Luangwa National Park. Possibly the best game park in Africa, South Luangwa boasts four of the Big Five (sorry, Zambia's only rhino are in Livingstone) coupled with extremely low tourist traffic (due, in large measure, to its inaccessibility). No other game park in Africa can match this combination.

Cities

Map
Map of Eastern Zambia
  • 1 Chipata the provincial capital
  • 2 Lundazi small rural town famous for its castle
  • 3 Chama famous for its rice and how difficult it is to get in
  • 4 Mfuwe the gateway to South Luangwa National Park

Other destinations

Understand

Talk

Nyanja is the language most spoken in the Eastern Province, although Tumbuka, Chewa, Senga are also popular.

Actually, Nyanja is a variant of Chewa. The Chewa people in Eastern Zambia are referred to as "Nyanja" speaking because when they arrived in Eastern Zambia they commonly used the praise term "Ife a ku Nyanja", meaning "We people of the lake". Nyanja is a Chewa word for lake. Before the Chewa people settled in Eastern Zambia, they passed through modern day Malawi along the shores of lake Malawi. Their fascination with this big body of water made them continue to refer to it long after they had left it behind.

Get in

Get around

See

  • Flatdogs Camp, South Luangwa National Park, Lupande Game Management Area (Follow main road from Mfuwe Airport and follow the signs). Campsite overlooking the Luangwa River within South Luangwa gamepark. You cannot approach on foot but you can get a lift. Has camping, chalets and a great bar and restaurant. They also provide game drives. Recommended.

Do

Eat

  • Nshima - staple food of the people of Zambia. Maize meal mad into a stiff kind of dough, much like polenta. It is eaten with vegetable, sauce and maybe meat.
  • Groundnuts - peanuts! Very good.
  • Kapenta - tiny dried fish, an acquired taste.
  • Maheu or mageu - a type of drink made with maize, very sweet and calorific.

Drink

Stay safe

Go next

This region travel guide to Eastern Zambia is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!